Thursday, October 14, 2010

FAC awarded 17 grants this year

In a time of economic troubles for nonprofits and arts institutions, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center just keeps on truckin'. And then some, because the institution has aggressively applied for grants, and then won them.

The fiscal year 2010 marks the most successful year in grant revenue for the FAC in a decade; it received 17 grants totaling $375,680. Over the past two years, the FAC has been awarded 30 grants, a total of about $575,000.

The grants have come from national organizations, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as local groups, such as the El Pomar Foundation.

The IMLS grant (a very competitive grant, according to Charlie Snyder, FAC director of communications) will be put toward the FAC's Public Free Days, extending the hours of the third Tuesday event from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (the museum normally closed at 5 p.m.). The museum will also offer docent tours and artist demonstrations in the galleries. The extended hours begin with this month's free day, Oct. 19.